Advice please am I entitled to SSP, work part time

Hi everyone
I am currently off work for the Christmas period but I have been really struggling with my job since I started 4 months ago. To such an extent that my boss has had words with me and advised me to seek medical help as I look dreadfull, anxious and like a scared rabbit. I suffer from bipolar disorder but I haven't told my employer. When I went to the interview I was very manic, which I know helped me land the job. But then I crashed down into a deep depresses and anxiety state. I can't concentrate, am seeing things that aren't there, I just feel like Im going mad. I am lucky to of kept my job 4 months but this is only because the bosses are never in the office at the min and I can get away with being useless and panicky. I have had a few massive panic attacks, including at work and I'm just not sure I can cope with working, I have tried I really have but it's just so hard. My doctor asked me if I wanted to be signed off from work the other day but I said no since Im not going back in until Jan anyway, but she told me to go back before then incase I need a sick note.
I am just worried about doing this as I don't know if Im entitled to SSP. I work 16 hours a week at £5.93 an hour. Am I entitled? Or would I have to go through the ESA? Also I wanted to knoe if it is the ESA I have to go for would I still have my job or would I loose it?
I'm so confused right now, my head feels like cotton wool and I have nowhere to turn. I don't want to loose my job but am scared if I carry on working I will get even worse.
Thanks so much for any advice
xxxxx

I'm afraid that we don't advise on SSP on here, but here's the government's explanation of it:

www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits...rinjured/DG_10018786

Here's the CAB's explanation of it:

www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/your_money/...m#statutory_sick_pay

PS. I hope that you can get help with your mental health. Do bear in mind that if this gets to be an ongoing problem, you may be able to ask your employer to make some adjustments, but you will only be able to do so if you tell your employer that you have bipolar. So if this situation continues, it may well be worth getting advice on that, too.

Hi thanks so much for your kind words. I have taken a look at the links you gave me and it says you have to earn £97 or more a week to get SSP I earn only £94.88 a week so I guess I'm not entitled anyway.
So will I have to go through ESA? If I do get ESA will I loose my job? Where do I stand with that? Can they sack me?
Thanks again for any advice
xxxxx

Could you not work an extra 15 minutes a week.

By the way, there will usually be a delay between submitting a post, and the post being published, as all posts need to be moderated. You don't need to resubmit them.

Oh sorry about that. I can't work at all at the moment, I'm not sleeping through the night but then in bed all day, I have nightmares which make me ever more anxious. I'm a mess basicly and I dont think I will be going back to work in the next couple of months. I am hoping I can get over this blackness and start fresh when I am better. But I want to know if I take some time off will I still have my job to go back to? It's perfect for me, not just a normal job, it's what I want to do and its round the corner. I wish I was normal.xxx